Nov 18, 2016

The Supreme Court on Friday decided to hear a plea filed by Delhi-based lawyer seeking intervention over the demonetisation issue. The hearing will now take place on November 25. It however refused to stay hearing at various high courts and lower courts over the issue.

A number of petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Modi government’s decision to demonetise Rs 1,000 and 500 currency notes. The government on Thursday had sought a stay from the apex court on the petitions challenging the demonetisation move.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court had agreed to list the application for today following Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi’s intervention in the matter. The A-G had told a bench comprising Justice Anil Dave and Justice AM Khanwilkar that the matter could be listed for hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) TS Thakur. It should be known that the CJI-headed bench is already hearing four petitions challenging the move by the Modi government.

Meanwhile, the Centre had also urged the Supreme Court to issue a directive that any petition challenging the demonetisation should only be taken by the apex court. The government has maintained the move was implemented in due accordance with the legal procedures.

Long queues at the ATMs and banks can be seen with people jostling against each other to withdraw money or exchange their old currency notes respectively. The government on Thursday lowered the exchanged limit for old notes and also relaxed the cash withdrawal rules.